Keuchel tosses complete-game shutout, strikes out career-high 12 Yankees
Dallas Keuchel is unbeatable at Minute Maid Park.
The left-hander struck out a career-high 12 batters and notched his third career shutout as the Houston Astros blanked the New York Yankees 4-0 on Thursday night.
Keuchel struck out the side in the first and sixth innings, but got himself in a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth, before getting Jose Pirela to ground out to end it.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Here's a look at Keuchel's line:
| IP | H | R | K | BB | PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 116 |
"I haven't been here a long time, but that's as good as I've seen Dallas Keuchel," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said following the contest.
Keuchel also earned high praise from Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, who went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts.
"Made me look as silly as I've looked all year," Rodriguez said. "He just really handled me well all night."
The Astros ace improved to 7-0 at home this season, and hasn't suffered a loss at Minute Maid Park since Aug. 10 of last year. He has gone at least six innings in 27 consecutive starts - the longest active streak in the majors.
Keuchel is now 9-3 with a 2.17 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 15 outings, and is a serious candidate to start the All-Star Game for the American League.